The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Body (BPJPH) are finalizing the rollout of the Mandatory Halal October policy, set to take effect on October 18. Under this regulatory framework, all consumer products entering or circulating in the Indonesian market must carry a certified halal label, while non-halal items must clearly state their non-halal status.
However, the regulatory classification of tobacco and alternative nicotine products remains unresolved. Because tobacco is an ingestible consumable with divided religious and public interpretations, authorities have yet to establish whether cigarettes, shisha, and vapes fall into the halal or non-halal category.
BPJPH and MUI Debate Tobacco Classifications
BPJPH Head Ahmad Haikal Hasan noted that non-halal products can legally remain on retail shelves as long as they carry appropriate disclaimers. He confirmed that the agency is seeking further consultations with Islamic scholars.
"BPJPH wants an in-depth discussion with MUI regarding the legal ruling on cigarettes," Hasan said during a virtual panel on halal regulations.
MUI Central Vice Chairman KH M. Cholil Nafis stated that MUI evaluates tobacco through a nuanced legal lens rather than a single blanket classification.
"Based on MUI's fatwa, the baseline ruling on cigarettes is permissible (halal), but for women, pregnant mothers, and children, it is forbidden (haram). In certain public settings, it becomes discouraged (makruh)," Cholil explained. He added that differences in product formats—including combustible tobacco, Middle Eastern shisha liquids, and modern vape juices—require separate ingredient evaluations before non-halal labeling can be applied uniformly.
Muhammadiyah Demands Mandatory Non-Halal Warning Labels
In contrast, Indonesia's second-largest Islamic organization, Muhammadiyah, is pushing for an immediate non-halal classification. Delegates from Muhammadiyah's Tarjih Council and the Muhammadiyah Tobacco Control Network (MTCN) recently met with BPJPH leadership to urge regulators to enforce non-halal tags on all tobacco and e-cigarette packaging.
Muhammadiyah maintains an established religious fatwa declaring all smoking and vaping haram due to documented public health risks. MTCN Chair Roosita Melani Dewi argued that applying non-halal labels would serve as a health intervention, particularly for vulnerable, low-income communities.
"Labeling cigarettes as non-halal will directly reduce harm by decreasing consumption," Dewi stated, urging regulators to eliminate legal loopholes before the October deadline takes effect.
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